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Post by Ms. Schelstrate on Dec 2, 2013 17:03:46 GMT
Excellent Example--The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Summary: Nobody Owens has been given the Freedom of the Graveyard. As a toddler, his family was murdered; however, he escaped by accidentally stumbling into the graveyard after which the inhabitants decide to raise and protect him. Fourteen years of learning, growing, and ghosting later Nobody meets up with his family’s murderer once again. Review: Filled with ghosts, ghouls, night-gaunts, a witch and even a mummy, a Hound of God, and perhaps what one might believe to be a vampire (it is never directly stated) this fantasy novel has it all. Although not quite as chilling as Gaiman’s Coraline (one of my favorite books of all time—a true horror story for children), The Graveyard Book has its supernaturally terrifying moments such as when Bod falls through a ghoul gate and into another, and much scarier, world. Nobody is a curious, intelligent, brave child who turns into an even more courageous young man. Even though the setting of the story is in a spooky graveyard, it is filled with family, love, and friends. Gaiman’s description of growing up in a graveyard makes it seem almost normal. “The next night, Silas appeared at the front of the Owenses’ cozy tomb carrying three large books-two of them brightly colored alphabet books…he walked Bod around the graveyard, placing the boy’s small fingers on the newest and clearest of the headstones and the plaques, and taught Bod how to find the letters of the alphabet when they appeared, beginning with the sharp steeple of the capital A (pg. 38-39).” What could be more fun than learning to read in a graveyard? I also liked how Gaiman introduced new characters and tombstones by citing what they said, for example on page 96 “Bod’s left ankle was swollen and purple. Doctor Trefusis (1870-1936, May He Wake to Glory) inspected it and pronounced it merely sprained.” These random headstone epitaphs made me actually sit for awhile and contemplate what I would want mine to say—a morbid activity, but with Gaiman’s book fresh in my mind it seemed common enough. McKean’s creepy pictures brought parts of the story to life although the pictures Gaiman’s vivid descriptions sent through my mind were much more sinister. This book is definitely one horror fans will love and one I will be keeping on my shelf and rereading over and over again.
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The Demonata by Darren Shan
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Post by The Demonata by Darren Shan on Dec 4, 2013 3:39:12 GMT
The Demonata by Darren Shan (book 1) Lord Loss. Darren Shan .2005. Lord Loss. United Kingdom.
This book is about a boy named Grubitish "Grubbs" Grady the younger son of a chess-obsessed parents grows to find out that his family has a secret . Grubbs soon finds himself face to face with Lord Loss a demon which took his sister and his parents soul. But little did Grubbs know that he has a long family history of werewolves in his family's blood. In order to break this curse he has to battle Lord Loss and his demons in a chess match with the help of his uncle Dervish they are forced to battle Lord Loss in a chess match in order to reverse the curse on his long lost brother Bill-E. Who wins? Read to find out. This book piques my interest ,the pace was non-stop ,keeping me turning the pages at a breathtaking rate, Darren Shan out did himself with this book, the way he describes the guts the blood etc. Gross as well as engrossing horror fans will eat it up. It's leaves the reader wanting more. I recommend you read this book you will enjoy it as well as I did. Jenna 7-8 Bday
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The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton
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Post by The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton on Dec 4, 2013 3:42:54 GMT
The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton
This book was about gangs, it was in between 2 gangs: greasers and socials. Greasers were the poor side the members were Ponyboy Curtis,Sodapop Curtis, Darry Curtis, Dally Winston, Two Bit Matthews, Steve Randle, Johnny Cade. The others where the Socials "Socs", the rich side: Cherry Valence, Marcia, Bob Sheldon, Randy Adderson, and David. There enemies, they confront themselves many times and they'll fight or taunt each other. Each guy has his own problems as well. The Greasers hang out at the drive in movies and they see 2 girls which were Socs, Ponyboy ends up liking her saying that's shes nothing like a Soc, they walk them home Pony boy And Dallas And they are confronted by the other Socs. They are jumped and Johnny causes a big incident he kills a Soc, Bob using a pocket blade. They try and escape that big incident, they run away. They both never liked each other except for the girls that Ponyboy liked. Also, until the big accident happened when they killed someone, they all where scared. They didn't expect ta big accident involving someone dying. Audencio Mendoza 1-2B
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But I Love Him by Amanda Grace
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Post by But I Love Him by Amanda Grace on Dec 4, 2013 3:46:04 GMT
A story that is not like any other ordinary abusive relationship book, that is starts when the couple first meets. But I Love Him by Amanda Grace starts from when Anna, a straight A student, is at her worst in a relationship that not only hurts her emotionally but also physically. As you continue reading through the book, you can observe how Anna progress from trapped to free. Several questions you might be asking yourself as you read are: Why didn’t Ana leave Connor? Why did she stay and let him brake her? Anna tells her story so well that you began to understand why she stayed so long. “What do you do when the one person you want comfort from the most is the one who caused your pain? How can I want so desperately for him to wrap me up in his arms but also want so much for him to leave me alone?”
Alma 1/2A
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Alice in Wonderland by Carroll
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Post by Alice in Wonderland by Carroll on Dec 4, 2013 3:49:46 GMT
Summary: Alice in wonderland: it tells of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by creatures.The tale plays with logic. Alice the protagonist must find her way through this strange place called Wonderland, she is a 7 year old girl who while sitting with her sister falls asleep and enters this world by falling down a rabbit hole. She follows the white rabbit who leads her on many adventures. A good man named the caterpillar who is not very friendly, is helpful by advising Alice to eat from the mushroom if she wants to change her size, and also the caterpillar teaches Alice how to cope with the difficult situations she encounters in Wonderland.
This book is about how each character teaches Alice something about life and growing up in a dangerous world.
In my own opinion "Alice in wonderland" is a good story and has a lot of drama and action. I'll admit the idea of a story with a girl who didn't want to listen her sister was kinda interesting to me. I think that it could have more action and that it did in the story. I liked when Alice fought with the the queen cause she was very very bad. I liked a lot, I always think that if Alice didn't come back in the normal world what would happen next. You should read the books and see the movies. You won't regret it. -Ashley Cortez Perez 3/4 A day
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The Fault In Our Stars
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Post by The Fault In Our Stars on Dec 4, 2013 3:51:56 GMT
The Fault In Our Stars -by: John Green
Summary: This book takes place in the modern day. Hazel has lung cancer and has to go to a support group where they have to speak the way they feel about their whole situation. One day this boy Augustus Waters jumps into her life and they share stories and a particular book. Hazel's dream is to meet the author, so Augustus Waters that has cancer as well grants her wish and they take a trip to Amsterdam. The book takes a unexpected twist when they get to this man, and meet him. They both face struggles with their parents and with their friends, but find the bright side of everything.
Review: This book by far has to be my favorite I've read in a while. It has a 16 year old's perspective on how they face their situation and struggles with cancer. And to be honest this is a great book for young teens struggling with the same problem. It has by far the best way to view things and the way they feel about their awful situation and it teaches to keep your head up high. I love the way it connects drama, action, and romance all at once and never to give up a dream even if it may seem like the end of the world. Even if you don't have the struggles they are facing it helps you to keep your head up high no matter how hard the battle is.
Nila 1/2B
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Post by Chain Reaction on Dec 4, 2013 3:56:31 GMT
Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles
Luis Fuentes is a Mexican who has been adored by countless numbers of girls and raised by gang members. His life began going down hill ever since his father died. Growing up with a single mother was really hard for him. Nikki Cruz has been hurt one too many times by boys. Nikki doesn't trust boys who say "I love you." Until the day of Luis' brothers' wedding. Since Nikki's parents own the ballroom, her and her family join in. It was love at first sight for Luis as he saw Nikki. Nikki felt the same, as she played hard to get. She was tempted to break her rules. It was Luis' biggest challenge to either stay with Nikki for the rest of his life, or continue his gang violence.
Sapphire 1/2A
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Post by The Great Gatsby on Dec 4, 2013 3:59:54 GMT
The Great Gatsby -By: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Summary: This book takes place in the 1920s where the young Nick Carraway (who also narrates the novel) moves into a small house in West Egg village in New York state next to his mysterious neighbor Jay Gatsby. Mr.Gatsby, who is in the drug business, throws these lavish parties in hopes that his great love, Daisy Buchanan, will one day wonder into one of these parties where they will reunite and rekindle their shared love. Mr.Gatsby and Daisy knew each other when he was a solider but he had to leave to go to war and lost touch. They eventually get reacquainted through Mr.Carraway, Daisy's second cousin once removed and Miss Baker, Daisy's best friend, and revive their long lost love. Daisy though is married and when put in the situation where she has to choose only one hesitates. In the end can an epic love like Daisy's and Jay's survive through all the circumstances that are put before them or will it end tragically?
Review: This novel is told with words that are now "dying" in this century of slang an improper grammar so if you don't have an extensive vocabulary then this book will be as interesting as a rock. It is a well written book with an interesting plot that resembles other newer books such as the Twilight saga where the situation arises that Bella had to choose between Edward and Jacob. In my opinion it is better suited for adults than a young reader only because of the fact that it is more sophisticated. To conclude, this is a great book that will have you so intrigued with its plot that you will not want to stop reading and, not only that, but it is a classic book of twentieth-century literature.
Javier 3/4B
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Post by Freak on Dec 4, 2013 4:03:40 GMT
"Freak" By:Marcella Pixley
Summary: This book of Freak tells the story o a girl named Miriam Fisher.
Miriam Fisher is different. She likes to read the dictionary, write in her diary that she named "Clyde" and recite Shakespeare. She's an outsider at her middle school and for the most part doesn't care that she has only one good friend. What she does care about is that her older sister, a former nerd like Miriam, has changed and is rejecTing her. She also has a big crush on a high school boy who treats her as an intellectual equal but really is interested in her older sister. The real conflict of the book is that Jenny, a girl at school, starts to humiliate and harass Miriam on a regular basis. Jenny seems to be desperately trying to be popular, and her way of a appealing to popular kids is to harass Miriam and let the boys take advantage of her. Miriam takes a lot of abuse without telling a parent or teacher, and toward the end she snaps and fights back. Then in the very end she does a courageous thing to help Jenny.
Review: Better than expected portrayal of a sensitive girl who's bullied by the popular (watermelon-scented) clique of girls in 7th grade. The better than expected part was the ending- how she ultimately deals with the problems all on her own, not relying on parents(clueless), teachers, the sister she used to be close to, the boy she has a crush on, or her best friend. She takes action based on her own inner strength and moral compass.
-Jennifer Escobar 3/4B
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Post by Stars on Dec 4, 2013 4:06:34 GMT
"Stars" by: Seymour Simon
Summary: Stars is a book that talks about different stars and how there created and formed. Stars are glowing gases that are very hot like our sun is a star, a big star. Stars are very far away from Earth that even with telescopes they look very small. They move approximately ten miles or more per second but they are so far away that we cant tell when they are moving. As the stars get older they get hotter of more than 12000 degrees. Most of them get so hot that they collapse upon themselves. These stars are formed in giant clouds of gas and dust called nebulas. Other stars that are older can either go through growing or shrinking. Big star clusters are called galaxies. These galaxies are the largest of the star system. There are more than one hundred billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.
Review: I like this book because it talks about different stars and it made me think about the new information I read about other stars such as old stars and new stars and also of galaxies. Its a real interesting book because it shows you pictures and explains how stars, galaxies, and black holes, etc. are created. I really like this book. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about stars or about the universe it really has great detail.
Leo 1/2B
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Post by The Hunger Games on Dec 4, 2013 4:11:06 GMT
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
“The Hunger Games” is the first book of a trilogy written by the author Suzanne Collins. This novel is narrated by Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old girl that volunteers to take the place of her little sister, Primrose, in the annual Hunger Games. A “game” where 24 teens, 12 females and 12 males, are randomly selected to compete in televised battle to the death. It is a tradition to remember the revolution of the 13 districts against the capitol.
For those who haven’t read “The Hunger Games” I just want to tell you that you're missing a lot. Suzanne Collins uses an imagery so developed that doesn’t allow you to get bored or leave the book. This book tells us the tragic love story of Peeta Mellark, the male tribute from district 12 and Katniss Everdeen, the female tribute from the same district. The setting of this story takes place in a long time after a war, natural disasters, disease and many tragic situations that destroyed the world that we know. “In the ruins of a place known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line.” Five years before the reaping Katniss’ father died, that made Katniss the head of her family; she had to sustain them. The day of the reaping Katniss volunteered to be candidate as they shouted her Little sister’s name as that years tribute. Minutes after they choose Primrose, Peeta Mellark is chosen as the male tribute; a young baker that has been secretly in love with Katniss since they were little. As they send them to the Capitol to train them, their trainer, Haymitch, helps them get sponsors so they could survive during the games by telling the world Peeta’s secret. During the games, they fight for their lives in their own way, and go through some harsh situations until the end where there's only them left.
Lesly 7/8B
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Post by Storms on Dec 4, 2013 4:15:49 GMT
"Storms" By: Seymour Simon
Summary: Storms is a book that talks all about different tragic storms that happen in states, cities, basically everywhere around the world, how it happens and what causes it. The book talks about how the atmosphere has changes and that is called a storm. It discusses how thunderstorms produce electricity called lightning. It also points out that thunder is heated air and how that gets hit by lightning. Also, the book describes the tragedies storms produce and how awful it is or how it hits. Thunderstorms give a sort of power that is used create a tornado. Tornadoes destroy everything in its path once it hits the ground.
Review: I really like this book because it talks about storms. I might already know about this because of my science class but not all in detail. I really recommend this book to someone if they ever have a project to do in science class or something like that. It specifically says everything. I liked how it explained it! Really awesome book.
Janet 1/2A
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Post by The Bitter Kingdom on Dec 4, 2013 4:19:13 GMT
"The Bitter Kingdom" by: Rae Carson
Summary: The fate of the kingdom of Joya d’ Arena hangs on the shoulders of its young queen of 17, Elisa the chosen Godstone bearer, who has been announced as a traitor. Together with friends, she aims to save her country and the man she loves from the hands of her enemies. Along the way she comes to know the true extent of the powers she posses because of her Godstone as well as her true self. But with danger lurking at every corner and with many things at stake she may not be able to accomplish these things without making the ultimate sacrifice.
Review: Carson’s novel is intriguing and well written. The author gives us two points of view which are: Elisa’s and Hector’s. I personally enjoy reading the perspective of the lead male in the book (in this case Hector) because it allows us to see what the guy is thinking and it gives us a better understanding of his feelings. The book’s unique setting is something that would attract any reader. Instead of your usual plain “English” style setting the book uses an exotic “Spanish” setting that is new and refreshing. The setting takes place mostly in Joya d’ Arena, the land that Elisa rules over. Joya d’ Arena is a beautiful desert oasis that is the center of commerce and trade of the empire. The main conflict revolves around Elisa taking back her kingdom from Conde Eduardo and General Luz Manuel who aim to control it and frame Elisa as a traitor. However, she must make many sacrifices including possibly leading herself and her friends to the gate of the enemy and to their deaths. A big obstacle she must complete in order to take back her kingdom is to unite the people of Joya d’ Arena and the people of Invierne, who have been enemies since the time the people of Joya were brought into the world by God. The plot of the story is definitely one that immediately reels you in because the reader is able to quickly connect with the characters and their feelings from the start,beginning with Elisa’s sense of not belonging, to the many doubts and fears she possesses.
Overall its a great book that should be added to your list to read!!
Alyssa 1/2A
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Post by The Hunger Games on Dec 4, 2013 4:25:51 GMT
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This book of fiction talks about Katniss Everdeen. She's a girl that lives in district 12 of Panem which is the only territory that is left after a world war. In order to remember this, the capitol which is the center of Panem, celebrates the Hunger Games that consist in taking one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts. They are called "The Tributes." They go to the hunger games and fight to be the last one alive, so being the last one is the winner of the hunger games. This means that they need to kill each other to win and for the winner is the glory and for the losers-death.
In the book the character that I most like is Peeta Mellark because he is going to do all that he can to protect Katniss to the point that he can gave his life to protect her. He is so noble and such a gentleman. One of the parts that I most like is when they were children and Katniss’s dad died, she tried to sell her sister’s clothes to have money to buy food but she can’t sell them. When she is behind Peeta’s bakery Peeta sees her and he gives her a bread that he burned on purpose to give it to her; and for me that so noble because he had the courage to burn the bread to give it to Katniss. The development of this book is in Panem after a big world war that destroy all the world and Panem is the only part of the earth that is left--Panem is divided in 13 districts and 1 capitol; after another war between the 13 districts and the capitol, the capitol destroys the 13th district and to remember this war the capitol establishes the Hunger Games. This story began when Katniss’s sister is elected to participate in the Hunger Games but she decides to offer herself as a voluntary for the games instead. When she is in the games she meets people and to prove to the capitol that they aren’t pieces in their game she decides to win the games. After that an unexpected notice is announced, the tributes of the same district can win both and that is when Katniss decides that she and Peeta have to be the winners.
This could represent the future that we could be expect to happen because we are killing our planet with all the contamination that we are generating.
By Daniela Ramirez ½ A
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Post by Twilight on Dec 4, 2013 4:31:04 GMT
''Twilight'' By:Stephenie Meyer
Summary: ''Twilight''is about a romance between a human and a vampire. The story tells us about seventeen year old who Bella moves from sunny Phoenix to rainy Forks, Washington, but the new school is the least of her troubles. She soon finds herself attracted to a mysterious boy who seems to be infuriated by her mere presence. Soon, however, the truth comes out and the two become inseparable. Bella never dreamed she'd fall in love, let alone with a vampire named Edward. Throughout the novel, he fights to save her, from himself and from others.
Review: In my own opinion,''Twilight" is a very romantic story and has a lot of drama and action. I’ll admit the idea of a story with a vampire who didn’t want to be a killer and fell in love with a human was kind of interesting to me. I think it could have had a lot of cool developments and suspense. The author takes an interesting premise and turns it into a four book soap opera. The first half of Twilight is basically Bella narrating about boring high school stuff and how strange Edward acts when she's around or near him. I liked when a trio of vampires shows up and threatens Bella’s life. She runs back to Phoenix to escape, but one of the Evil vampires follows her,luring her into a trap only to have Edward. Edward save her life at the last minute. But when you started to read ''Twilight'' you are going to be thirsty for the other 4 books that continues the story of the romance of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen.You should read it!
-Sharis V. 3/4B day
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